Toyota earmarks US$1.5-M to develop next-gen traffic management system

MANILA: Do you know what a futuristic city will look like? Well, no one really does, but Kuala Lumpur might soon have the answer.

Toyota Mobility Foundation has selected the Malaysian capital to be the host pilot city for the eight-month City Architecture for Tomorrow Challenge (CATCH) that kicked off February 13.

Under the program, start-ups, academic, and research institutions to corporates, or even the general public will assist in conceptualizing and developing solutions that are dynamic, intelligent, and data-driven to design future city infrastructures.

"TMF was set up to address mobility issues around the world, using a unique approach driven by sustainability, innovation and partnership. CATCH was designed in partnership with the Malaysian government, to encourage data-driven but human-centered interventions to improve city planning and the mobility ecosystem," said Shin Aoyama, president of secretariat, Toyota Mobility Foundation.

Teams participating in the challenge will be tasked to develop and trial-test solutions for CATCH with assistance from expert mentors and the use of an incubation program. TMF is set to provide grants at every stage of the challenge, up to a total of US$1.5 million.

"Through CATCH, the global pool of talented start-ups, academics and the world's brightest minds can develop their next-gen urban digitalisation ideas and accelerate Kuala Lumpur's evolution into a city of the future. The program is in-line with MDEC's efforts to drive forward the country's digital economy, catalyse next-gen innovation through Malaysia's Global Testbed Initiative and reinforce the country's position as the Heart of Digital ASEAN," said Surina Shukri, CEO of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation.

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